Lola and Larry by danapommet
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Description
Lola (left)and Larry(right).
I posted a Muscovy duck back on December 5, 2009 and mistakenly identified as a male. She has since been named Lola and now has a boyfriend, Larry. I am doing the feeding today and snapping photos one handed.
Muscovy ducks are native to Mexico and down through South America. They were brought to the US and domesticated for food. They are larger than normal wild ducks so there is more meat on the body. The males are 34 inches (86cm) in length and 10 to 15 pounds (4.6-6.8kg). The females are 25 inches (64cm) long and 6-8 pounds (2.7-3.6kg). Domesticated males often weigh up to 17 pounds (8kg). The red caruncles on the face indicate male or female and age. I am told that Larry is the male because he has more dark feathers and the red caruncles cover a larger area and are more pronounced. But, because they can interbreed with wild ducks, it is only a guess. ZOOM mode will show the difference in texture.
I have also cropped so that more of our manmade lake can be viewed. I had some questions about manmade lakes being square and I hope that this visual helps. This lake is there for two reasons. First, this land was a marsh or swamp land, years ago. To build on it, they dug this lake, dumping the soil to the sides, then with a higher land base, built around the lake. Since the hedge is a boundary line, the lake is square at that end and to keep things even, they dug the other end square also. Secondly, since most of Florida is only 6 to 7 feet above sea level, the lake acts as a retention pond for excess water produced by hurricanes. There is a culvert pipe in the corner that connects to another lake and so on until it all empties into a canal, that eventually empties into the Atlantic ocean. A south Florida myth is that the highest point around is the rubbish land fill. :>)
Muscovy duck info from the National Geographic field guide to the birds of North America.
Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous comments.
Dana
Comments (20)
Faemike55
Wonderful photo! sounds like you have your hands full
Seaview123
Good looking ducks. Nice pic.
MrsRatbag
Strange and beautiful ducks...love the feather colours!
goodoleboy
Lola and Larry. Well, it's better than Larry, Moe and Curly. Magnificent capture of the pair, along with the crow sneaking by in the rear, and the beautifully textured effects of the lawn and square man-made lake, Dana.
kbrog
Excellent capture! The Muscovy ducks are very friendly and wag thier backsides like puppy dogs. :)
watapki66
Wonderful shot and thanks for the information on the ducks!
jocko500
cool shot here
mgtcs
Beautiful animals my friend, beautiful place, love it!
whaleman
Nice colors! Great shot!
Alex_Antonov
Beautiful work!
DAVER2112
Very nice capture!! My wife feeds the Muscovy ducks every day.
jendellas
I like Mr. Crow stepping out in the background, he looks very smart. That lake is missing Jasmine :o)
bmac62
I wish I had a lake in my backyard. This is a great setting. Well done Dana.
flavia49
lovely capture!!! flavia & sandra!!
adrie
Beautiful picture my friend, excellent shot.
orig_buggy
What a nice lake! I love the details in the feathers! Interesting looking birds !
tennesseecowgirl
My mom has told me a story before that if I had been a boy my name was going to be Larry.. lol but then my aunt had a boy before I was born and named him Larry and my mom said she was always so mad at her because she took the name. Nice photo love how you name them!!
Katraz
Yes I can see the lake shape and how its banked up, Muscovy ducks are also found in the UK, mostly in ornamental lakes.
myrrhluz
Excellent capture of this handsome couple! He is gorgeous and seems to be posing. She looks more interested in eating. I love the detail on Larry's feathers and feet! I also like what looks like a grackle stalking by in the background. Beautiful image and great info!
mariogiannecchini
Excellent capture , Dana !